Tap Into Your Bathroom Design

The details in your home are what make your space. Putting thought into elements such as taps in your bathroom is what creates a unique feel – either by creating a statement piece or by blending in to the rest of the space.

From left: The Sea and the Shore, a clay basin by Werner Aisslinger; a marble tap by Jean-Marie Massaud

Bathroom brand Axor has certainly challenged the industry norm of your usual tap design by working with architects and designers including Front, David Adjaye and GamFratesi to create a range of unusual taps. Axor presented its latest set of collaborators with a new mechanism that frees the spout of many of the usual technical requirements, and brings a completely new thought to the design of bathrooms.

The new development of tap sculptures began with the the brand asking the designers to present their own version for the “meaning of water within the living spaces of tomorrow.” Axor wanted the designers to play with new materials and forms in creating an experimental variation.

The designers response to this was that ‘you can rethink what a tap can be‘ which co-founder of Stockholm-based Front, Sofia Lagerkvist, explained to be “music to our ears”. The proposal for the collection was ‘water steps‘, allowing the stream to tumble through a series of sculptured bowls

The designers enjoyed working with the idea of sound as it’s an element designers don’t usually work with, contributing to the multi-sensory performance of the tap.

From top clockwise: A marble tap by Jean-Marie Massaud | Front imagines flowing water as a “performance” with Water Steps | David Adjaye’s concept, Ritual, frames the flow of water within a bronze channel | The Sea and the Shore, a clay basin by Werner Aisslinger Centre: Zen by Gam Fratesi

David Adjaye’s concept of ‘Ritual’, intends to frame the flow of water within a bronze channel and beneath a wedge-shaped granite inlay. GamFratesi, a Danish-Italian duo, took inspiration from Japanese wooden fountains for Zen, their addition to the series, attempting to reconnect our understanding of water with nature. Other proposals include Mimicry, an architectural marble tap by Jean-Marie Massaud and The Sea and the Shore, a clay basin with a small shelf by Werner Aisslinger.

The Winter Issue is all about de-cluttering, de-teching and slowing everything down. Packed with inspiration and ideas for making your home a sanctuary, we share the ultimate comfort food recipes, master the art of nesting and take you on a tour of the dreamiest hideaways. Pick up your copy today and tell us what you think on Twitter @Elle_Deco using #WinterIssue.